Before you can try to get rid of it, you need to figure out what causes halitosis. Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by many things, from diet to poor hygiene habits to illness. Some of those problems can be addressed at home, while others might require professional help.
Common causes of bad breath
The National Oral Health Programme of India notes that common causes of bad breath includes oral diseases, presence of a tongue coat, respiratory disorders, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, intake of drugs among others. The National Oral Health Programme of India suggests that mouthwash is not hte replacement of regular oral hygiene routine of tooth brushing and flossing. The following steps can also help reduce bad breath.
- Food Choices: Foods with a strong smell, such as onions or garlic, can cause bad breath, especially if you don't brush your teeth after eating. The same is true of coffee and certain other drinks, such as diet sodas. If you eat a lot of sugary foods and don't brush right away, chances are some of that sugar will adhere to your teeth. As sugar rots, it causes a strong odour.
- Dieting: It's not only what you eat, but also what you don't eat that can lead to bad breath. For example, low-carb diets can cause halitosis. As the body burns fat (instead of carbohydrates) for energy, it produces ketones, a foul-smelling end-product that can lead to bad breath.
